Chapter 220
(Kyle Calendar Year 512: Age 19)
The Advent of Calamity
Translator : PolterGlast
[⚔ History of the Baron Solis Territory ⚔ The Steps to
Ruin]
Summer of Kyle
Year 512: A Heavenly Calamity Strikes the Land of Estol
In this year,
there was no merciful rain from the heavens, and the earth cracked hard and
dry. The fertile land thirsted, and the people of Estol looked to
the sky and lamented. Crops withered in the drought, and the earth
brought forth no blessings.
The people,
having lost that year's sustenance, grieved greatly, and the dry earth was
wetted only by their sorrow.
The towns
overflowed with people seeking daily food, but the capacity to support them
fell short. Many without savings could not survive that winter.
The weak fell to
starvation, and many people mourned the future. Despite the efforts of
the rulers, many lives were lost.
The summer written
in the history books had finally arrived.
I retain vivid
memories of this drought, which I experienced personally in the previous
timeline.
The abnormal heat and
thirst that occurred at the height of summer caused many crops, which we
thought were just a little while away from harvest, to wither completely. The Org
River, the largest river flowing through the Estol region, was
reduced to a thin trickle, with most of it drying up.
Then came the
seasons known as the Autumn of Lamentation and the Winter of
Starvation.
In autumn, when the
harvest should have been celebrated, the yield was so scant that the subjects
looked to the heavens and voiced their resentment. When winter came with almost
no harvested crops, it brought widespread famine to the entire territory.
In the city of Est,
refugees from farming villages throughout the territory overflowed. I set up
soup kitchens and desperately tried to handle the situation. And in the
previous timeline, that was when I first made the acquaintance of Claire.
It was because she stepped forward, leading the orphans, to help run the soup
kitchen.
At that time,
despite the desperate efforts of myself, Miseri, and the administration,
what we could do was limited. Funds to buy grain from other territories were
insufficient, and since desperate times called for desperate measures, we even
sold horses and arms.
The number of
soldiers we maintained had already decreased significantly compared to my
father's time, so I sold off all the surplus.
Of course, receiving
aid from the neighboring territories to the east and west, with whom relations
were terrible, was impossible. Many destitute subjects became refugees and
flowed into neighboring territories.
Back then... It
was... incredibly painful.
Various efforts and
measures spun their wheels, resulting in no concrete achievements.
However, we are
different now!
Just as in the
previous history, an extremely hot summer arrived, and the sun began to scorch
the earth day after day. Rivers everywhere visibly lost water volume, and
pumping water wheels and irrigation canals began to lose their meaning.
In this world,
information coordination across various regions was established, centered on Margrave
Hastburg. Through this, it became clear that this drought accompanied by
intense heat was not limited to the southern frontier of the Kingdom of Kyle,
but was occurring across the entire southern region.
In my memory, it
shouldn't have been this large in scale. Is this also history paying me back
double—no, triple?
I secretly
shuddered.
Fortunately, due to
the rebellion, most of the southern zone belonged to the Margrave's
faction. Every lord, following my warnings, had stockpiled a large amount of
grain the previous year, buying it up cheaply and in bulk from regions that had
bumper crops.
Furthermore, led by
the Demon Territory Count's domain, the territories of Count Solis,
Count Gorman, and Viscount Cornell had been diligent in preparing
reservoirs.
We had also shared
information with the lords of the Margrave's faction regarding the
changes in planting and alternative crops that we were implementing. Therefore,
even though a rare crop failure was anticipated in each territory, anxiety was
kept to a minimum.
There was one more
thing that played a significant role.
When I came to the
town of Dimos for inspection, I demonstrated a certain tool to Lyla.
It wasn't just her; the subjects were surprised as well.
"I see. So this
is why you instructed us to build reservoirs on high ground as much as
possible. To think it could be done so easily using a... hose?"
"Well, to
secure the initial water flow with a large hose requires the assistance of a Water
Mage, and even with a small one, it's better not to put your mouth on
monster intestines."
It was a large
pseudo-hose prepared using the durable intestines of monsters. Even if a large
reservoir is built, pumping out a significant amount of water to send it into
the canals usually requires constant effort.
However, by using
the Siphon Principle, once a Water Mage gets the current flowing,
it can automatically pump the water out. As long as the bottom of the reservoir
is higher than the canal, all of it can be drained.
"With this, the
fields will come back to life!"
"Thank you very
much!"
"So that was
the reason for the sorting! I understand now!"
Cheers arose from
the subjects as well.
Even without
devising floodgates for the reservoirs or ways to dredge water from the bottom,
this method allowed water to be expelled easily. Therefore, with the help of Earth
Mages, reservoir construction was completed extremely simply.
In addition, in Gaia
and Dimos, we forcibly zoned the fields, consolidating those for grain
cultivation and those for drought-resistant crops other than grain. This was to
use the precious water effectively by grouping the distribution destinations of
the limited water as much as possible.
From Elan,
who was entrusted with Gaia, there were reports that the utilization of
hoses and the countermeasures were functioning successfully.
And as expected, no
particular problems occurred in Ishtar and Aegis. Because the
abundant spring water from Mt. Teigoon maintained its volume even during
the drought, I received reports that water distribution could be handled as
usual without issue.
Finally, regarding
the pioneer villages in Teigoon, we gradually supplied water from the
moat, which essentially acted as a gigantic reservoir. We couldn't drain it
completely in preparation for the defensive battle next year, but since we
could expect massive snowmelt once the new year came, we released a reasonable
amount of stored water.
As a result of these
responses, speaking strictly for the Demon Territory Count's domain, by
the autumn when the drought ended, combining the harvest of alternative crops
gave us a prospect of obtaining yields almost unchanged from average years. We
were relieved.
However, it seemed
there was a fair amount of damage in other territories.
In Count Solis's
territory, damage occurred in the granary belt near Mars and farmlands
utilizing irrigation. Even after implementing various measures and including
the harvest of alternative crops in the calculation, they reportedly suffered a
yield reduction of about 10 to 20 percent.
It seemed other territories
were in a similar situation.
"Even with
countermeasures, these numbers are very strict. Miseri, please
coordinate with the stewards of neighboring territories to check if relief
supplies are needed. Yoltia, please determine the stockpiles we can release
to other territories."
I could only sigh.
"Yes, I am
already coordinating with the stewards of each house. They say they can ride it
out for the time being with the stockpiles prepared in advance. I have received
contact asking that if it becomes necessary, they would like us to sell to them
at normal prices as aid."
Yoltia
supplemented Miseri's answer.
"According to
the investigation, Count Solis and Count Gorman's houses are down
a little less than 20% overall. The Margrave and Viscount Cornell
are down 20 to a little less than 30%. The houses on the southeast side are
down about 30 to 40%. Those outside the Margrave's faction reportedly
suffered a harvest decrease of over 50%. This difference is..."
"Likely the
difference in seriousness," the Commander sighed. "As per Yoltia-dono's
investigation results, everyone in the two Count houses knows of Takuhir-sama's
foresight and track record so far. However, the further away they are, the
harder it is for that track record to be conveyed. No matter how many grand
orders lords issue, it is the subordinates who actually move. It won't go as it
does with us."
I think that is
certainly true.
"With us, if it
is Takuhir-sama's word, everyone responds and works to their utmost
limit, after all. Unfortunately, that is likely the difference."
Claire
answered proudly.
"Even so, it
seems we can manage to avoid famine, and Karin-sama will be able to grow
up healthy!"
"Yeah,
well..."
I gave a short
answer to hide my embarrassment at Yoltia's words. Anne had
safely given birth to a girl before this summer.
Through my first and
second lives, I had become a father for the first time. I named the red-haired
girl, who resembled Anne, Karin.
Anne, who
always supported me with dignity (Rin), and the name 『Rin』 that
my wife Yuko had said she wanted to give our child if we were blessed
with one back when I lived in Japan. I named her Karin from those two
thoughts.
"By the way,
what is the situation with winter measures in the affected areas? Miseri,
what do we know?"
I was a little
embarrassed, so I changed the subject. The Commander was laughing looking at me.
"Yes. Your
father, Count Solis, has supplied seeds for a type of turnip that is
easy to cultivate on a large scale. Turnips can be harvested quickly and can be
grown regardless of the soil. In each territory, they are calling them 『Count
Turnips』
and sowing seeds all at once, it seems."
"Hahaha, this
time it's a Count. We took 'Baron Potato', so we have to return a title
to the main house at least with the turnip."
Saying that, we
laughed. Looking back, one could say this calamity was anticlimactic.
But we had spent two
years on these countermeasures. It is no exaggeration to say we prepared more
carefully and on a larger scale than ever before.
The surrounding
territories also had sufficient preparation time. Even so, reasonable damage
occurred.
Considering that, I
realize, whether I like it or not, that the calamity struck on a truly
terrifying scale.
I savored the
fleeting moment of relief, but the greatest crisis for us will surely come one
year from now. It will surely become an even larger tsunami.
After things settled
down, I set about doing what needed to be done next.
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